Georgia dormitory bat infestation welcomes students back to campus: ‘It’s very alarming’
Bats are a protected species in the state of Georgia
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Students living at the University of Georgia’s Oglethorpe House have reported seeing bats inside their dormitory since returning to school following the holiday break.
"It's very alarming," student Ella Sather told FOX 5. "There was one in the lobby, and it was like on the floor, and then all of a sudden it just got up and started flying at me, so I ran back to my room."
"It's been an adventure," she added.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The university told FOX 5 that pest control is on top of the infestation.
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Dozens of bats have congregated in a stairwell of the University of Georgia's Oglethorpe House. (FOX 5)
Linda Casper, executive director of university housing, told the station the bats were entering through the roof into a mechanical space with boilers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We believe they were entering through that space and then getting in the stairwells through that opening," she said.
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Casper said pest control has been carefully removing the flying mammals and plugging holes where they were able to get in.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We expected it would take about three days to remove all the bats because the bats are so small, and they're very good at hiding," she said, adding that around 30 more were found on Thursday and pest control is on call.
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"We continue to tell students, ‘Please, do not touch the bats,’" she added. "'If you see one, please contact the desk or call the RAs.'"
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bats are a protected species in Georgia.